European Cranberrybush Viburnum

European Cranberrybush Viburnum

Viburnum opulus

Honeysuckle Family (Capifoliaceae)

▲ mature shrub

▲ ▼ leaves

▲ flowers in spring on S. Kings in Springfield, MO

▲ ▼ fall fruit

Location near campus: in Shrub Garden toward southwest end of Close Park, just east of parking area

European Cranberrybush Viburnum - Viburnum opulus:

leaves deciduous, opposite, simple, palmately three-lobed; leaves dark green above and glabrous; glabrous to pubescent on leaf undersides; leaves 2-4" long and equally wide or wider
stems are light gray-brown, glabrous and ribbed longitudinally
grows to 15' tall and wide with upright, spreading growth habit with arching branches
flowers are white, in terminal clusters; larger outer flowers are sterile and more showy; central fertile flowers less showy; fruit is a red drupe ripening in early fall
prefers full sun to part shade; soil adaptable, and tolerates wet soils well
medium growth rate
cultivars:
- cultivar Viburnum opulus ‘Sterile’ has all sterile flowers and flower clusters look like large white snowballs or hydrangea flowers--sometimes is called snowball bush viburnum---this cultivar produces no fruit
- cultivar Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ is similar to species, but has smaller leaves, twigs and flower clusters; this cultivar grows only 2-5’ tall--better for smaller landscapes